Press Release

Red Cross makes grant payments to help UK flood victims

The British Red Cross today, 5 October, began making grants to local authorities and local charities from its National Floods Appeal. Grants totalling £3,066,320 will be received by 18 local authorities. Local authorities and local charities will use the grants to help communities recover from the flooding which affected the UK this summer.

The Red Cross’ National Floods Appeal raised over £3.7m after it’s launch on the 24th July. Last month local authorities in all the affected areas were invited to apply for grants to help those most in need, such as the elderly, disabled or those on low incomes, rebuild their lives after the devastating floods. Further grants are expected to be made in other flood affected areas in the coming weeks.

Margaret Lally, head of UK service development at the Red Cross, said: “Many people continue to face difficulties resulting from the damage to their homes and livelihoods. The stress of dealing with these problems also has an impact on people’s lives.

“The public’s generosity to our appeal will enable local organisations on the ground help those most in need. These grants complement the other schemes which have made money available to help communities recover.”

Local authorities themselves, or charities they have chosen to work with, will use the money. Funds were allocated on the basis of the scale and severity of the flooding suffered in a particular area, and based on the number of homes that were affected. In their applications, local authorities needed to demonstrate how the money would benefit those most in need.

The criteria were reached following consultation with local authorities in the affected areas and the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Local Government Association.

The Red Cross played a leading role in the response to the flooding across the UK, delivering food, water and hygiene kits to people in affected areas. Volunteers also provided help at rest centres for people who had been forced to leave their homes.